Root [MetroPCS] SEcure lock

[bsquirrell]

Having been told that Metro pcs has put secure lock on their devices, (It is so that if you put on unauthorised firmware it will break your phone.) Is it safe to root the phone, can't afford to brick this phone, What is considered firmware and what isconsidered software

 

[danyvw]

To answer your first question just read the name of this sub forum: (Metro PCS) Galaxy S4- All things root.

 

[ARocker]

Having been told that Metro pcs has put secure lock on their devices, (It is so that if you put on unauthorised firmware it will break your phone.) Is it safe to root the phone, can't afford to brick this phone, What is considered firmware and what isconsidered software

Ooooh....a Secure Lock you say? lol
I wonder how that works? Maybe bigfoot comes to your room at nite and takes your phone into the woods? Sounds to me like someone is trying to scare ya lol

Rooting and flashing are both working well on our phones and has been well documented in this forum. That doesn't mean its SAFE to root and flash. Flash the wrong thing and you may bork your phone. You take that chance every time with any device. Thats why its important to read directions carefully and get as much info for what you're flashing before you flash. Also keep a backup of your current system handy in-case you get a bad flash or flash a bad download.

Firmware IS software. Usually when I use the word firmware...I mean the entire software package for a phone/device including the modem/radio software, the operating system, the boot image, the kernel, etc etc

Normally when flashing a custom rom, you're usually only flashing the operating system and sometimes the kernel.

Tell Metro bigfoot to stop telling scary stories

 

[maus421]

I think the word "brick" (technically speaking) is horribly misleading.

If you're doing anything with the firmware/software, whatever you do wrong is most likely temporary... that is, until you find out how to undo whatever you did wrong... or ask the good people of this forum.

...trial and error, my friend. I thought I "bricked" a couple of phones in my lifetime, lol.

Side note: my niece dropped my wife's phone in a bowl of water. It was in there for a couple of seconds before my wife saw it and took it out... after that, we heard sizzles and immediately turned the phone off. After we placed the phone in a jar of rice for 20 hours, the phone worked perfectly.

It's hard to "brick" a phone... just make sure you follow instructions.

 

[ARocker]

I think the word "brick" (technically speaking) is horribly misleading.

If you're doing anything with the firmware/software, whatever you do wrong is most likely temporary... that is, until you find out how to undo whatever you did wrong... or ask the good people of this forum.

...trial and error, my friend. I thought I "bricked" a couple of phones in my lifetime, lol.

Side note: my niece dropped my wife's phone in a bowl of water. It was in there for a couple of seconds before my wife saw it and took it out... after that, we heard sizzles and immediately turned the phone off. After we placed the phone in a jar of rice for 20 hours, the phone worked perfectly.

It's hard to "brick" a phone... just make sure you follow instructions.

True

 

[bsquirrell]

This is what it says on their site, I have rooted other phones successfully,but as this Galaxy S4 is so expensive, I am a tad nervous, but I hate the bloatware!!
Search results found for: secure lock
FAQ : What is Secure Lock and how can I get help?
MetroPCS is committed to delivering an optimal experience on our phones for our customers and we have added Secure Lock to protect the integrity of the phones sold by MetroPCS. Secure Lock is technology that prevents unauthorized firmware from being installed on MetroPCS phones. Preventing unauthorized firmware helps protect against security threats that may result from third-party firmware that has not been tested by MetroPCS and our equipment [..]

 

[ARocker]

This is what it says on their site, I have rooted other phones successfully,but as this Galaxy S4 is so expensive, I am a tad nervous, but I hate the bloatware!!
Search results found for: secure lock
FAQ : What is Secure Lock and how can I get help?
MetroPCS is committed to delivering an optimal experience on our phones for our customers and we have added Secure Lock to protect the integrity of the phones sold by MetroPCS. Secure Lock is technology that prevents unauthorized firmware from being installed on MetroPCS phones. Preventing unauthorized firmware helps protect against security threats that may result from third-party firmware that has not been tested by MetroPCS and our equipment [..]

I didn't doubt you regarding "Secure Lock" from Metro and I'm well aware that Metro and other carriers add software that is supposed to stop you from installing "unauthorized firmware" on your phone.

I was just making fun of the fact that despite this "Secure Lock" software, rooting and flashing are working quite well and that their scare tactic is common, familiar and obvious. All you have to do is read the comments posted by other users in this sub forum that have rooted and flashed roms with success. I cant find any reports of users getting the error messages written about in the Metro PCS Secure Lock FAQ. If there was an real issue I feel we would have heard something about it by now. People would have complained, big time.

I see that you've posted about this in the MetroPCS carrier AF sub forum also and seems you basically got a similar answer...

Looks like Metro/Tmobile hate unlocked bootloaders and mods like rooting, and Roms. So this may be their tactic to scare us and put sites like Android forums, XDA developers among others out of business.

Worry is common and natural considering the investment made in these devices. I root a device when its available, as a matter of principal, to get the most bang for my buck. You said that you've rooted other phones and im sure you have...im also sure that most of those phones you've owned have had some type of similar software installed too.

I'm tempted to say something like...Man Up Bro!! or Quit Ur Crying!! lol
Instead ill say...

Root if you like....or don't. Its up to you

 

[Shabbypenguin]

Secure lock is enabled on the s4 but its a bit different than what youd think. it is a way to prevent bad things form happening from peopel who modified their phones from taking any kind of updates. at this time unless you have an exact 1 for 1 stock phone you wont be able to take ota's

however it is worth noting the next update you guys get should enable SEandroid. SEandroid is the part of aosp that was submitted by the NSA and it is what is used in locking down root exploits on devices

 

[ARocker]

Secure lock is enabled on the s4 but its a bit different than what youd think. it is a way to prevent bad things form happening from peopel who modified their phones from taking any kind of updates. at this time unless you have an exact 1 for 1 stock phone you wont be able to take ota's

however it is worth noting the next update you guys get should enable SEandroid. SEandroid is the part of aosp that was submitted by the NSA and it is what is used in locking down root exploits on devices

Thanks much for the info and the heads up shabbs.

I read a little bit about it after seeing your post but I have a question...I understand that su process elevation still works with 4.3 but the process cant do anything with the su privileges because the new security policy runs differently. Thank you NSA!! jerks

It was mentioned that to get what we've all come to know as "root", a su daemon is necessary and that requires a modified boot image to run the daemon at startup. That means no root for stock touchwiz 4.3 when its released for our phones.

So my question is...will it be possible to modify the boot image for the s4 at all or is it locked and thats that?

Thanks again man

Edit:
For those interested in reading the article I read, it is here...

http://www.androidcentral.com/android-43-and-beyond-root-going-away-stock-roms

 

[Shabbypenguin]

it will be possible, however its just a lot more of a pain in the [family friendly word]

but it wont be impossible, you guys stick to doing things the tmo way and youll be set

 

[bsquirrell]

I'm almost afraid to ask any questions here any more, as I am scared about looking foolish
quote ".Man Up Bro!! or Quit Ur Crying!! lol " I'm not a bro. Im female and not crying!!!
I was just asking what I though was a reasonable question, as I have always believed the only stupid question was one you didn't ask. I have more cncerns ,but I gue I'll surf the web for answers.

 

[Shabbypenguin]

I'm almost afraid to ask any questions here any more, as I am scared about looking foolish
quote ".Man Up Bro!! or Quit Ur Crying!! lol " I'm not a bro. Im female and not crying!!!
I was just asking what I though was a reasonable question, as I have always believed the only stupid question was one you didn't ask. I have more cncerns ,but I gue I'll surf the web for answers.

if you have any questions or concerns feel to ask them or if you like you can always PM me

 

[ARocker]

I'm almost afraid to ask any questions here any more, as I am scared about looking foolish
quote ".Man Up Bro!! or Quit Ur Crying!! lol " I'm not a bro. Im female and not crying!!!
I was just asking what I though was a reasonable question, as I have always believed the only stupid question was one you didn't ask. I have more cncerns ,but I gue I'll surf the web for answers.

No need to be afraid to ask questions bsquirrell. Were a friendly bunch here and are always willing to answer any questions you may have. Theres also no need to be scared about looking foolish here. You cant possibly look more foolish than the jerk that wrote "Man Up Bro!! or Quit Ur Crying!!"...whoever that was

 

[Rxpert83]

I'm almost afraid to ask any questions here any more, as I am scared about looking foolish
quote ".Man Up Bro!! or Quit Ur Crying!! lol " I'm not a bro. Im female and not crying!!!
I was just asking what I though was a reasonable question, as I have always believed the only stupid question was one you didn't ask. I have more cncerns ,but I gue I'll surf the web for answers.

I'm not sure where the posts you're referring to are, but I assure you that's not the way we roll here.

If you ever come across ANY issues, hit that small /!\ report button on the post and alert staff that something's up. We'll be happy to take care of it. :thumbup:

There's no dumb question, and asking your question not only helps you, but the people down the road who are having your same issue and searching for it.

Nobody knows everything, but together I think we can get pretty close

 

[ARocker]

I'm not sure where the posts you're referring to are, but I assure you that's not the way we roll here.

The post in question is somewhere in the middle of this thread and hasn't been flagged because the quote "Man Up Bro!! or Quit Ur Crying!!" was taken out of context as you'll see if you read through this short thread. I think its clear it was in jest, shown by all the winking and smiling. Let me know if there are any issues.

 

[Badco]

SECURE LOCK ***** up the information in your CDMA Chipset and probibly in the android OS and Keeps you from being able to use the next work for anything, but still shows the phone activated on ur acct...so thanks to SECURE LOCK...my wildfire is Hard Bricked but still running so to say

 

[Shabbypenguin]

um, no that is nothing to do with it.

 

[Digital Controller]

The post in question is somewhere in the middle of this thread and hasn't been flagged because the quote "Man Up Bro!! or Quit Ur Crying!!" was taken out of context as you'll see if you read through this short thread. I think its clear it was in jest, shown by all the winking and smiling. Let me know if there are any issues.

Rocker most of us understand your attitude and personality because we know this root forum and we know you, however, others don't and might take you seriously . You're fine just be a little careful in the future man!

I'm almost afraid to ask any questions here any more, as I am scared about looking foolish
quote ".Man Up Bro!! or Quit Ur Crying!! lol " I'm not a bro. Im female and not crying!!!
I was just asking what I though was a reasonable question, as I have always believed the only stupid question was one you didn't ask. I have more cncerns ,but I gue I'll surf the web for answers.

Now like shabbypenguin added, we are always happy to assist you. Just ask your questions and we will help you the best we can. Sorry if you experience here thus far has been less than adequate.

EDIT: Sorry if I am late to the party, but hey I got 10k posts guys